In Ayan Mukerji's Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (YJHD), Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone share a special camaraderie. In town today to promote the film, Ranbir talks about his leading lady.

On Deepika, the co-star
I got to know Deepika, the co-star with this film. We were very new in Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008). We were also in a relationship during that time, so it was different. In YJHD, we came together as professionals, both of us having spent five years in the industry. I haven't been so intimidated by a co-star as much as I have been with Deepika, especially since I know her so well. She has surprised me as an actor with the kind of hard work that she puts in. I am proud of her.

On Deepika, the friend
Deepika and I have always been friends. It's not that we keep in touch often, but whenever I have to reach out to her or vice versa, there is no sense of awkwardness. We are so caught up with our assignments and the people we work with that our lives centre around them. But Deepika and I will remain friends for a very long time. I will be her children's godfather; I will play with them and all of that. We have that kind of relationship.

On friendship after romance
You have to let go off the relationship and move on in life. You have to understand and have a sense of closure to your relationship. Once you have done that, it is possible otherwise it is not fair. I also think it is nice to work with your ex; it's special. Especially in a job like acting, where you have to constantly expose yourself as a person, you know each other so well that you are comfortable. There is no sense of trying to hide oneself or put a facade. All this only helps in your work. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, produced by Dharma Productions, releases May 31.